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High Cholesterol: Treatment

High cholesterol levels are treated with diets low in cholesterol, medications, and lifestyle modifications. There is also increased emphasis on other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure.

Treatment is most commonly with lifestyle change: increasing exercise, avoidance of excess carbohydrates and fatty foods, decreased animal products in the diet. If these lifestyle changes don't produce the necessary result, oftentimes, doctors will use medications such as statins (HMG CoA reductase inhibitors) to reduce LDL and boost HDL cholesterol. There are also many other drugs and supplements to help with cholesterol.

It is important to note that a healthy lifestyle with moderate physical activity 30 minutes a day combined with a mostly plant-based diet is probably the best, no-cost, and most highly effective option as a first step toward improved cholesterol levels.

Drug treatment controls but does not "cure" high blood cholesterol. Therefore, you must continue taking your medicine to keep your cholesterol level in the recommended range.

The five major types of cholesterol-lowering medicines are:

Statins

Lowers LDL cholesterol

Bile Acid Sequestrants

Lowers LDL cholesterol

Nicotinic Acid

Lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and raises HDL cholesterol

Fibrates

Lowers triglycerides and may increase HDL cholesterol

Ezetimibe

Lowers LDL cholesterol

Treatment Goals

Treatment is tailored to your individual risk of developing heart disease. Some patients need to have an LDL less than 100 or even 70 mg/dL, but you and your doctor can work on these plans together. Below is just one example of some treatment goals. As always, consult your physician for complete information on your individual needs.